Gameday: Pirates Welcome Rival Seahawks To Minges

Game Seven: UNCW Seahawks
Date:	Thursday, Nov. 30
Time:	8 p.m. (ET)
Location:	Greenville, N.C. (Williams Arena at Minges Coliseum)
Tickets & Parking:	Game Tickets \| Parking Information
Live Game Coverage:	Radio: WNCT 107.9 FM \| TuneIn Radio Online Video Stream: ESPN3
Internet Options:	Live Stats
Game Notes:	ECU (PDF) \| UNCW \| The American

GREENVILLE, N.C. --- Playing against the backdrop of Jeff Lebo's resignation as head coach on Wednesday, ECU will face rival UNCW on Thursday night inside Williams Arena at Minges Coliseum.

ECU has turned to assistant coach Michael Perry to step in as interim coach after serving as acting head coach last season during Lebo's absence due to hip replacement surgery.

"There are a lot of things to take into consideration," Perry said. "You think about the kids first of all and the transition those young men are experiencing at this time.

"The priority at hand is to make sure your kids have a good understanding and we also have to keep in mind that in less than 24 hours you have an opponent who could care less about what happened here. They're coming here to try and beat you."

The Pirates suffered an 87-81 loss to North Carolina A&T on Sunday following a 14-point loss at Rutgers Friday. It's second consecutive defeat wasn't without some highlights as ECU battled back from 10 points down in the first half to take a five-point lead midway through the second stanza before the Aggies put it away with a quick 7-2 spurt.

Junior Isaac Fleming scored a career-best 23 points, including 17 points in the second half and junior Kentrell Barkley posted his first double-double of the year with 19 points and 11 rebounds. ECU had four players score double figures and shot 46.6 percent.

It was the Aggies proficiency at the free throw line that was the ultimate determining factor. N.C. A&T converted 29-of-34 free throw attempts as ECU was whistled for 26 personal fouls.

"We've got to lock in more, we've got to pay attention," Barkley said. "We've got to focus on the small details and we've got to do it every day because it starts in practice."

The youthful Seahawks are coming off a 79-70 loss to Valparaiso at the Savannah Invitational in Savannah, Ga. The Crusaders broke a halftime deadlock by converting 25-of-31 free throw attempts in the second half. Jordon Talley and Ty Taylor led UNCW with 13 points each while Devontae Cacok added 12 points to go along with 10 rebounds. Marcus Bryan also collected 10 boards.

"I was really disappointed, but we played hard and gave a great effort tonight," UNCW Head Coach C.B. McGrath said. "We got off to a good start. It wasn't because of a lack of effort and determination. They just shot too many free throws in the second half. That was the big difference in the game right there."

UNCW leads the all-time series with ECU, 36-28. The Pirates and Seahawks have split each of the previous two meetings with both teams winning on their home court.

ECU is 19-13 all-time inside Williams Arena at Minges Coliseum against the Seahawks.

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Players Mentioned

Kentrell Barkley

Isaac Fleming

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